Cheese-Pull Merienda Mac & Cheese Bake

Looking for a cheesy, comforting, and budget-friendly merienda? This Filipino-style baked mac and cheese delivers big flavour and maximum cheese pulls using pantry staples. It's rich, ultra-creamy, and topped with a bubbly golden cheese crust—perfect for kids, potlucks, or even baon.

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🍝 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple Ingredients – You only need elbow macaroni, milk, flour, butter, and your favourite melting cheese.
• Big Cheese Pull Energy – Sliced cheese topping gives that satisfying cheesy stretch.
• Perfect for Sharing – Bake it in one large dish or divide into mini foil containers for baon or parties.
• Make-Ahead Friendly – Assemble in advance, refrigerate, and bake when needed.

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🧀 Key Ingredients

• Elbow Macaroni – The classic shape for holding onto all that luscious cheese sauce.
• Processed Cheese – Filipino-style cheese blocks melt smoothly and give that signature cheesy flavour.
• Milk + Roux Base – A simple béchamel sauce brings the whole thing together.

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🥄 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the Macaroni

Boil salted water, cook macaroni until just al dente, then drain and set aside.

2. Make the Cheese Sauce

In a saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour to form a roux. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until thickened. Off the heat, stir in cheese cubes until fully melted and season with salt and pepper.

3. Combine and Assemble

Toss cooked macaroni in the cheese sauce until well coated. Pour into a greased baking dish and top with cheese slices.

4. Bake and Serve

Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (180°C fan) / 400°F for 12–15 minutes until bubbly and golden. Rest briefly before serving, and garnish with chopped spring onions or parsley.

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👩‍🍳 Tips for Success

• Salt your pasta water generously—it’s your first layer of seasoning.
• Don’t overcook the macaroni; it’ll cook a bit more in the oven.
• Add hotdogs, shredded chicken, or bacon for extra flavour and texture.
• Use a mix of cheddar and mozzarella for a more natural cheese option.

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❓ FAQ

Can I use another cheese?

Yes! Try mozzarella and mild cheddar for a natural melt, just watch the salt content.

Can I make this ahead?

Absolutely. Assemble it up to a day in advance, refrigerate, and bake just before serving—add a few extra minutes in the oven.

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Pair it with fried chicken, garlic bread, or a light salad. For baon, portion into individual foil containers and reheat in the oven or toaster for best results.

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🧡 Real Feedback

“Tried this for Sunday merienda and my kids scraped the dish clean. Super simple but lasang bongga!” — Mae C.

“Love how creamy the sauce is with just a few ingredients. Next time I’ll add hotdogs for a more Pinoy feel.” — Rowena P.

“Perfect baon idea! I baked it in small foil containers and my family reheated them in the toaster. Still so cheesy.” — Jay M.

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Enjoy this cheesy merienda classic and tag us if you share it online! #CheesePullMacBake